The Great Peanut Debate
“To Ban or Not to Ban?” That is the question.
My answer is yes, and no. Watch me straddle the fence here a little.
Yes. Peanuts and nuts should be banned from preschool, kindergarten and elementary school classrooms when there is a student with allergies in that classroom.
For very young children, the classroom, the learning environment, should be free of all foods to which the child is allergic. This may sound extreme to some but as an enlightened preschool director once told me “It’s only food!”
In addition, food and drinks for classroom parties should be safe for all of the children. If birthdays are celebrated in the classroom (and I really don’t know why they would be when 1 in 4 American children is overweight or obese) the snacks and treats should be safe for all of the children in that classroom. The same goes for food rewards and any kind of craft project involving food (i.e. peanut butter bird feeders).
I’ve heard from many parents over the years who insist that allergic children need to “grow up” and “adapt to the real world” where there are nuts, peanuts and other allergens everywhere. Of course they do, but over time1
In fact, as parents of children with severe food allergies, one of our most important tasks is teaching our children to advocate and care for themselves. Yes, our kids do need to adapt to the real world: they’ll need to get a job, buy a car, get a mortgage, but they don’t need to do all of this in second grade! We need to hand over the reigns gradually and with care. The stakes are too high if we make a mistake.
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May 25, 2009 @ 8:14 pm
I agree with everything you say Gina, just want to add that the restriction of peanuts and nuts needs to be carried through to Jr. High and H.S. Some of our children are developing the skills needed up into their 20’s, learning life skills, and still learning independence.
I like to use the word restrictions, not bans because folks seem less defensive with this word…..softens it a bit. But I agree with your comments. I would add that wherever the chid is….is his classroom and should be safe. Whether that be the library, bus or field trip.
Many of our children have other disabilities along with LTFA, and also need the opportunity to reduce as many issues as possible. Especially as teenagers (when the chemical changes in the brain affect decision making of the LTFA teen and non FA teens prone to bullying and peer pressure) we should not place a child in that environment.
Safety should be consistent. Our children have enough issues to practice self-advocacy without worrying about it at school. Our children need the opportunity to focus on learning.
School leadership that supports this sends a strong message to the community that keeping our kids safe, empathizing as a community and supporting the cause should never end. It should be part of all our school communities experience learning good citizenship and responsibility for others. Our kids will soon be adults, and we are in charge of pioneering the world’s understanding and empathy.
June 2, 2009 @ 5:42 pm
Everyone should be aware of the dangers that come from having peanut butter in the schools. My son is unable to feel safe at lunch and in the classroom when peanut butter is present and yet he is expected to be such a sport about it. I’m sure the schools can live without the peanut butter and jelly of the past. We need enough parents to stand up and say something about it.
August 20, 2009 @ 9:57 pm
Unfortunately peanuts are only one of the life-threatening allergens out there. Do you suggest a ban on milk, soy and wheat as well? Those are much more common ingredients in school lunches and cause anaphylaxis in many children. I believe making accomodations like a peanut-free table and spacing kids farther apart while they eat work for most kids with food allergies. Of course, more needs to be done if a child has reactions from inhaling an allergen.
I do think that the classroom should be completely free of a child’s allergens because it is where the child is most of the day and he/she has to be safe to learn. A teacher who has around 25 kids to take care of cannot be expected to read ingredients on everyone’s snacks though, so it needs to be easy. Fruits and veggies (or no snack) seem like the best option depending on the situation.